'I run a clothes-free hotel and naked spa and the reason I set it up stuns people'

On the outskirts of Birmingham, this eccentric hotel is self-described as 'clothes-free', allowing those who stay to use its facilities completely naked.

Whilst on the surface this can be deemed quite a controversial choice for a weekend trip, Tim Higgs, the owner of the resort, is hoping to change people's opinions on naturism, one naked night away at a time. Since its inception in 2010, the hotel has garnered plenty of attention from those confused by the idea of naturism, and along with it, a whole load of positive reviews from guests.

The idea for a hotel of this kind was born out of complete innocence and Higgs's love for experiencing saunas and spas in the likes of Switzerland, Germany and Finland. It's in these European destinations where wearing clothes at these facilities is typically frowned upon, and for him, it felt like freedom.

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Tim explained: "It's so much more relaxing, and actually becoming confident in your own skin without any labels and clothes and cover is just freedom – it's unbelievable, and there are not many places in the UK. So it dawned on me that, hey, there must be a business opportunity here offering it to people who, once they've tried it, generally love it."

He added: "That's why our reviews are so good, I think, because people think 'I'm apprehensive', and then they leave thinking, 'What was all that trash that I was carrying around with me about taking my clothes off? I am just me.'"

Talking about his competitors within the naturist industry, he explained there are some places which allow "sexual behaviour", which he believes "misses the point completely". As a hotel and spa falling under the term 'naturist', Tim feels that other locations "hijack" the label completely by offering sexual services or the ability to swing in public. This behaviour he categorically emphasises is not naturism.

Explaining how he and his staff ensure all guests feel safe when they stay at Clover Spa, Tim explained there it is a strictly "clothes-free, nonsexual environment." To put it plainly, he states "sexual innuendos or behaviour won't be tolerated." He emphasises the building was designed with this in mind, ensuring there were no corners or dark areas where people could "sneak off and muck around".

You may still be wondering, with a furrowed brow, what the biggest benefit to naturism is, and for Tim it's a simple answer – pure freedom. "Most people think, 'Yeah, I'm free,' but they're stuck by social stereotypes and social expectations:, he explained. "And it is the most common word people use to describe how free they feel once they accept their body for whatever it is. And it really doesn't matter.

"You can be bumpy, saggy, stretched, and scarred, but when you're with a group of naked people, you're most respectful. You maintain eye contact more, and it just gets away from all that stuff that society expects of you. When you take off all your labels and all your clothing and you are just there, you're being totally honest with the world. So, here I am. There you are. We're just human beings."

The 69-year-old hotel owner compared the experience to that of skinny-dipping – a slightly more common phenomenon. He said: "Most people have skinny dipped... and when they did, the world didn't cave in. It's just an exciting experience, as people are discovering the freedom of it."

Whilst the term 'naturism' has garnered its fair share of disapproval, it seems Tim is trying to reimagine the idea it is something that, instead of being sexual, is simply grounding. His sentiment is: "If you can just calm down a little bit and be happy in your skin, you don't need quite so many clothes; you don't actually need to go and have your lips pumped up and your saggy bits Botoxed, because you learn to live with yourself and be nicer."